TIME TRAVEL

IF THE CALL OF ADVENTURE beckons, you’ll want a trusty timepiece or two in order to help you answer it. That means a way of getting them from A to B with as little fuss (and as much style) as possible. That’s just as true if you’re just going on a business trip which, let’s be honest, feels as big an adventure as a mountain hike, these days.

These watch rolls, all made from exceptional leathers by some of the finest craftsmen around, will not only keep your capsule collections safe but are the kind of pieces you’d be more than happy to show off on your hotel room dresser.

Edited by SAM KESSLER

THE FINEST WATCHES NEED THE FINEST STORAGE, SO WE’VE ROLLED FIVE OF THE BEST INTO ONE HANDY COMPENDIUM

SMYTHSON MARA WATCH AND JEWELLERY ROLL

British craftsmanship tends to go hand-in-hand with the understated and generally Smythson would fall into that camp with their signature grained leather in restrained colours. Well, not here. The Mara watch roll is about as visually luxurious as these things can possibly get with a glossy, crocodile printed finish of incredible depth and colour – in this case a magnificent mushroom.

The roll itself has room for a pair of watches as well as a compartment for jewellery, extra straps, cufflinks, and whatever else you need to complete your outfit, making it one of the more versatile watch rolls out there. Rigid dividers ensure it also offers genuine protection to your timepieces, though it is the kind of leather you’ll want to take care of.

£410, smythson.com

ETTINGER LIFESTYLE DOUBLE WATCH ROLL

Honestly, you only ever need two watches – a casual, everyday piece and a dressier number for the evening. This number from British leather specialist Ettinger houses whatever that pair may be in style – and we do mean whatever. Where most watch rolls limit the size of the watches inside, the Lifestyle includes two different fasteners so that you can either keep your smaller pieces secure or let it out for a larger, chunkier watch.

It goes without saying that the leather used is immaculate. This is Ettinger, after all. But it also comes in seven distinctive colours, including a racing green and, our personal favourite, the bright red. It might be a bit eye-catching for some, but it works so well with the soft, glossy leather it’s hard not to love.

£290, ettinger.co.uk It goes without saying that the leather used is immaculate. This is Ettinger, after all

Finished with a contrasting goatskin lining, it’s the perfect travel companion for a trio of British watches FARER RACING GREEN WATCH ROLL

British flair and exceptional use of colour have come to define British watch brand Farer – just check out our review of their latest Monopusher – so it’s no surprise that when they came to create a sumptuous watch roll, they’d opt for classic British racing green. The roll itself is made by O’Rourke Coachtrimmers over in West Sussex, who are best known for the restoration of beautiful classic car interiors. Farer’s three-watch roll uses that same leather, and finished to the exact same standards, meaning ultra-precise stitching and a lovely, tactile grain. Finished with a contrasting goatskin lining, it’s the perfect travel companion for a trio of British watches.

£230, farer.com

BENNET WINCH WATCH ROLL

While the exterior of this Londonmade watch roll might look like soft, buttery leather – and it is – Bennet

Winch’s signature watch roll is far more protective than it appears.

Secured between the top layer of leather and the inner lining of Alcantara suede are panels of Kevlar, flexible but hardwearing enough to stop a bullet. When closed it creates a solid protective shell that’ll help even the most delicate timepieces survive the rigours of travel. Open, it fully folds out to become a display surface.

Of course, this particular roll isn’t just about protection. The octagonal shape not only helps it stand on your dresser without running away, but makes the entire thing a perfect fit for whichever Royal Oak you just can’t travel without.

£595, bennettwinch.com

VISCONTI MILANO WEEK ORGANISER WATCH ROLL

Have a watch for every day of the week? Then this is the one for you. Rather than sticking to home shores, it would be impossible to discuss fine leather without mentioning Italy and, specifically, Visconti Milano. While we best know the brand for their custom watch straps, it would be remiss for them not to leverage that artisanal excellence to create a few accessories too.

Soft rather than a solid protective shell, the roll opens up to display seven slots embossed to mark the day of the week. It’s a novel approach and one that serious collectors – the kind that actually wear their collection – can appreciate. The only downside is that it’s not the most secure of watch rolls, but between the downright beautiful leather and ability to hold a week’s worth of watches, it’s a compromise we’re happy to sign up for.

€ 440, viscontimilano.com

The roll opens up to display seven slots embossed to mark the day of the week

Style EDITED BY \ 74 / British workmanship makes 7L’s parka the elite style recruit of the season SHANE C. KURUP \ 76 /

This season’s best outdoor-worthy apparel that will see you through anything \ 90 / Bolster your body’s defence against the elements with these combative cures \ 92 / An ex-marine sniper reveals the clothes that will keep you alive \ 100 / Strap on a pair of sturdy clodhoppers for a hit of Edmund Hillary swagger \ 102 / Daniel Craig’s most iconic Bond looks and how to get them

Intrepid threads

>—> The spirit of adventure has long informed the world of menswear and it’s a trend that’s easy to comprehend. Who wouldn’t want a wardrobe that exudes the air of the intrepid explorer, rugged mountaineer, flyboy fighter pilot or rakish rally driver? For Oracle’s Adventure issue, we’ve curated everything you need to get gallant with your wardrobe and grooming regime.

Edited by SHANE C. KURUP

WORTHY RECRUIT

7L’s Breach parka might have military kudos in spades, but its practical assets and British workmanship make it the elite style recruit of the season

>—> For anyone that laments the demise of the British manufacturing industry, Cheshire-based brand 7L is an auxiliary force of renewal: it designs and produces its pieces entirely in Blighty, from drawing board to trimming table. Its new Breach parka, for instance – which takes its design cues from British Army military jackets – has been cut and crafted from weatherproof Millerain cloth at Cookson & Clegg – a Blackburn firm that’s been in the premium rag trade since 1860 and also supplied the UK forces. “The firm still employs the same skills essential to the production of military grade clothing and applies them to the manufacturing of modern outerwear, jeans and chinos for many of the country’s leading clothing brands”, explains Chris Vandrill, designer at 7L.

This commitment to supporting homegrown production talent doesn’t stop at surface level, either. The jacket is lined with deadstock parachute fabric woven at William Reed – a storied Mancunian miller of traditional sailing and parachute cloths. “The lightweight nylon parachute fabric gives the jacket a luxurious finish,

WATERTIGHT WARDROBE

Dan Lewis, Area Manager at Jeeves of Belgravia, dry cleaner to HRH Prince Charles, shares his wisdom on keeping weather-proof outerwear in fine form

1— Cut back the weekly wash Avoid machine-washing waterproof kit too often as it will gradually reduce the effectiveness of the repellent coating

2— / Put down the detergent Never wash waterproof gear with standard detergent or fabric softeners. They contain chemicals that can clog the pores of the waterproof membrane

3— / Remember to Reproof If you notice that water droplets are no longer beading and the garment is becoming saturated, reproof it with a professional waterrepellent spray

but also proffers superb windproofing”, adds Vandrill, explaining that the lining has practical worth, beyond its Armed Forces authenticity.

Add to that a glut of functional details designed to keep the fickle British elements at bay, from a waterrepellent finish, Velcro cuff tabs, integrated handwarmers, and a two-way Swiss RiRi zip forged with the precision of La Chaux-de-Fonds ticker and you’ve got the ultimate outdoor wingman that brings an entirely different meaning to the slogan ‘high and dry’ – in the style stakes, at least.

7L Breach parka, £550, sevenlayer.com